Apparatus for electroplating



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 AHHHHIM A. LAZARO APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING IIHHHIH' IH Q Filed Sept. 16, 1944 Dec. 20, 1949 A. LAZARO APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l6, 1944 Dec. 20, 1949 A. LAZARO APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 16, 1944 iilil Patented Dec. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The present invention relates to apparatus for electroplating and is particularly concerned with apparatus of the type in which a multiplicity of relatively small articles may be placed in a perforated container and immersed in a plating solution while the container is continuously rotated to insure the uniform application of a plating to all parts of the surfaces of the articles.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved electroplating apparatus comprising a unitary structure which is provided with a driving motor, speed reduction gears, and a suitable barrel in which the apparatus is so constructed that when the barrel is partially immersed in the electroplating solution and rotated, the electroplating solution is impelled into the barrel and through the interstices surrounding the articles to be electroplated in such manner that the time for electroplating is decreased and the efficiency of the apparatus is considerably increased.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved electroplating barrel unit of the class described which is so constructed that all of the parts which come in contact with acids or other solutions are constructed of neutral acidresistive material which is unaffected by plating solutions and which may be used for a long period of time without any substantial deterioration.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved electroplating apparatus which is simple and which includes a minimum number of separate parts so that there are a minimum number of bends and corners in which dirt and other foreign matter may accumulate.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved electroplating barrel unit of the class described, which is sturdy, capable of ecoomical manufacture, and which permits a view of the articles while they are being plated, so that the operator can observe when the plating is finished without necessity for opening the bartroplating apparatus in which the barrel is constructed of a minimum number of pieces of material and in which the barrel is provided with an improved closure and clamping apparatus for the closure whereby the fixity of the closure on the barrel is assured while the barrel is operatrel to make sure that the electroplating has been 4 satisfactorily completed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electroplating apparatus including a motor driven barrel unit and a special supporting stand for supporting the barrel unit and a draining basket or screen in such manner that the gears and the barrel will never be damaged by being placed upon other supports than those intended for it.

Another object of the invention is the provi- 'si'on'of an improved barrel construction for elec'-' ing but the clamps ma be readily released and the barrel opened for charging or discharging the articles that are being electroplated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are three sheets:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view in partial section, showing the electroplating apparatus supported upon a frame unit provided with a drain basket into which the plated articles may be discharged;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same apparatus shown in connection with the electroplating tank and the electrode which not only effects an electrical connection but supports the barrel unit;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line 5--5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentray sectional view taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 looking in -prises a pair of forwardly extending frame members I2, l3 and a pair of transversely extending frame members l4, 15. For example, the forwardly extending frame members I2 and I3 may consist of angles of any suitable metal, preferably non-corrodible, such as stainless steel, and they may be secured to the transversely extending frame members l4 and 15 by screws or bolts to form a substantially rigid rectangular frame.

Referring to the supporting frame II, this is preferably also constructed of suitable metal as described'with respect to the other frame. 'The supporting frame I I may consist of a pair of substantially trapezoidal side frames 15, ii. The side frames l6 and i! may be made out of a single channeled member which is bent at right angles at [8, at an obtuse angle at i9, and at an acute angle at 26, the ends being joined by welding at a slightly obtuse or right angle at 2|. This provides the side frames with a horizontal bottom frame member 22, an upright rear frame member 23, and a topframe member which is. slightly tilted so that the barrel is readily accessible between the front frame members of the two side frames 16 and 11.

The two side frames l6 and I1 may be joined at the bottom by being welded to the transverse channels 26, 21 and at the top by being, welded to the transverse channels 28, 29 and the length of these channels bears such arelation. to. thetop frame members [4 of the barrel unit that the barrel unit may be inserted between the side i frames with the projecting top frame members M and I5 resting on the top'frame members 24 of the side frames l6 and;

The barrel unit is prevented from sliding down toward theback or top frame members 24 by the channel 28 at the rear left'fFi'g. 1) and the size of the barrel unit in general is-such that its frame fits within the rectangular opening that is pro- "vided at the top of the supporting frame H by the frame members 24, 24', 28, 29;

The supporting frame I Iis preferably provided with a drain basket indicated in its entirety by the numeral 30. The drain basket Bilmay be provided with a pair of side frame members 3-1, 32, joined by the longitudinally extending frame members 33, 34. basket 30 maybe made of the sam suitable metal or of wood; The bottom of the basket is preferably covered with a perforated draining member which may consist-of a suitablesheet of non-corrodible metal or galvanized metal provided with a multiplicity of apertures some of which are shown in Fig. 3.

The drain member 35-may be secured to the bottom of the frame members 3|, 32, 33, at the left end of the basket, but it is preferabl arranged to slope upward at the front portion 36 and is secured to the top of the frame member 34 so as to provide for the convenient emptying of the basketat this side.

The basket 35 rests on the transverse bottom frame members 26', 21, of the supporting frame H beneath the barrel unit l0=in position to receive the electroplated articles when the barrel is emptied. The backward tilt of the supporting frame leaves a wide opening at the front of the supporting frame N, that is, at the right of Fig. l, for removal of the basket with its-plated articles and the apertures permit the solution to drain from the articles into a convenient tank or drain pan 31.

The supporting; stand I! also insures the adequate support of, the electroplating barrel unit l0 when it is not supported in the tank and precludes the operator from damaging it by -setti'ng it uponits gears or other more. fragile parts.

The barrel unit frame comprising the frame members ii. to 55 inclusive preferablysupports a pair of depending bearing plates 38, 35 and these bearing plates, as well as all of the other parts of the electroplating unit which are apt to be immersed in the solution, are preferably made of a composition such as a modern plastic which is heat-mol'dable and adapted to resist deterioration or solution by" acids, electroplating solutions,

These frame members ofthe or any other materials with which they might come in contact. For example, I prefer to make these parts of a plastic of the type known as arcryloite plastic, produced by polymerization of the monomeric derivatives of acrylic and methacrylic acids, which is substantially transparent and is heat moldable and resistive to most reagents.

Bearing plates '38 preferably have their top edgesv 40 straight so that they may engage the upperilanges 4|" of the angle members i2 and I3 to which they may be secured by screw bolts 42 passing through the apertures in the angles and threaded into the plates 38, 39.

The shape of thes bearing plates may vary considerably but as they are intended to support the bearings for the electroplating barrel 43, plates 38, 39 may taper downwardly, having the converging lower edges 44, 45 terminating in a partially circular lower edge 46. Each bearing plate 38, 39 preferably supports a bearing block 47 which may consist of a piece of the same material having a cylindrical supporting portion 48 that fits into a cylindrical bore in each plate 3801' 39. The supporting portion 48 carries a cylindrical trunnion 50 which projects from the supporting portion and has arotating fit in a journal plate 51 and gear plate l05carried by the opposite ends of the barrel 43. The trunnion block 4'! may be secured in place by a pair of threaded members 52 of the same plastic material.

In order to provide for the connection of the articles to be electroplated into the electrical circuit, the barrel 43 is provided with oneor more, preferably two, electrodes 53. The electrodes 53 have metallic heads 54 which may be cylindrical and which may have a conioally pointed end portion 55. These electrodes are preferably made of non-corrodible metal such as nickel silver, or stainless steel.

Each electrode head 54 has an aperture 56-'into which the stranded copper conductor 51 may be brazed and a counterbore 58 for receiving the rubber insulating cover 59' on this conductor.

The insulated conductor passes through an enlarged cylindrical bore 60 in the end wall 6| of the barrel 43 and through a similar bore 62 in the bearing block 4'! and end plate 38.

The conductor 5'! may have its other end provided with a suitable connector 63 which is secured by means of a screw bolt 54 to a metal conducting strap 65. The screw bolt passes through both the connectors 63 and strap 65 and is threaded into the plastic plate 38'.

Strap 65' is preferably made of copper or other suitable metal of high electrical conductivity and it is twisted at 66 so that its upper end is located in a plane at right angles to the lower end. Thus, the upper end portion may be bent to form a substantially rectangular hook portion 61 which fits over a supporting bus bar 68 comprising a cylindrical rod that is carried at the top of an electroplatingtank 69 both for the support of the barrel units and for effecting the electrical connection to the electrodes 53.

The other electrical connection ismade to the electrode of the metal which is usedv for electroplating. The electrodes 53 make contact with the various metal articles to be plated that are adjacent to them and through contact between the various articles all of these articlesv are electrically connected to electrodes 53; Of course the electroplating fluid of Fig, 5 covers both the 7 electrodes and articles but the contact resistance :between the electrodes and articles is so much less than the resistance of the electroplating solution, that the major part of the current passes through the articles which are to be electroplated.

At the point I (Fig. the strap 65 is provided with an offset so that it may be spaced sufficiently from the frame and motor housing to lygonal plate of this plastic material such as,

for example, a hexagonal plate which is provided on one side with a groove I3 of substantially rectangular cross-section. The groove is spaced uniformly from the edge of the octagonal plate BI and is adapted to receive the edges of the body plate II with a tight frictional fit. These parts may be welded together by the application of a cement of the same material under heat or otherwise, or they may be secured together by screw bolts of the same material.

The main body plate II may consist of a substantially rectangular sheet of this same material which is bent at a suitable obtuse angle at each of its corners 'I4I8 in such manner as to form a polygonal member with one open side. This may be done by the application of heat to the points where bending is desired and the bend is preferably an easy bend so that the container has rounded corners on the outside and inside.

The body plate II and cover plate '52 are all preferably provided with a multiplicity of through apertures 79 uniformly spaced from each other and extending diagonall through these members in such direction that the outside 89 of each aperture faces in the direction in which the barrel is turning and the inside BI of each aperture faces in the direction from which the barrel is moving.

Thus, the apertures I9 are adapted to scoop the liquid into the barrel and it is found that there is a marked increase of circulation of plating liquid through the barrel due to the direction in which the apertures extend. The plating may be expedited and the time for electroplating substantially shortened by reason of the increased circulation of fluid through the barrel due to this structure.

As previously described, the edges of the main body plate II are located in the grooves I3 of end plates BI. At the side of the barrel where the opening occurs, the wall portion indicated at 82 (bottom Fig. 5) of the groove "i3 may be removed and the cover may be made long enough to extend to the base 33 of the groove I3 and to engage the side wall 84 of this groove. Thus, the cover is of substantially the same length as the body plate 7| and its inner surface is beveled at B5 to fit against the ends of the body plate and close the aperture completely.

Cover plate I2 is preferably provided intermediate its ends with a handle plate 89 which projects outwardly therefrom and which may have depressions 81 for receiving the fingers. cover plate 12 is preferably secured in place by suitable clamping members 88 one of which is shown in Fig. 6. Two of these clamping members are preferably employed although one may be sufficient if located near the center of the cover The plate I2. Each clamping member is preferably made of resilient spring material suitably plated to avoid corrosion or of resilient non-corrodible material.

Each clamp 88 has a central U-shaped portion 89 which gives it its main resilient characteristics. From the U-shaped portion 89 arms 99 and 9| extend in opposite directions and the corners 92, 93 between these arms and the U-shaped portion 89 engage the cover plate I2.

At each and arms 90, 9| are bent at an obtuse angle at 94, 95 so that the engaging portions 96, 91 lie flatly against the keeper bars 98, 99.

Engaging portions 90, 9'! carry an inwardly bent retaining flange I00, IOI and the flange IOI may be of U shape so as to support a backwardly extending handle flange I02.

Flange I92 is for engagement withthe fingers and when pulled away from the barrel 43, it will cause the flange I 9| to slide off the keeper 99 and effect a separation of the clamp from the keeper strips 98, 99.

Keeper strips 98, 99 are straps of the same p1astic material which are secured to the outside of the barrel adjacent the edges of the main plate II. Keeper strips 98, 99 preferably project beyond the edges I93 of the opening so that the cover I2 may be seated above and below these keeper strips 90, 99.

The tension of the clamps 88 is provided by the U-shaped portion 89 which preferably tends to close together so as to draw the retaining members I99 and IOI toward each other. The clamp may be applied by hooking the retaining flange I00 over the keeper 98 and pressing downward upon the portion 88 until the portion 89 spreads and the retaining flange I90 passes over the edge of keeper 99.

The journal plate 5| at the right hand side of barrel 43 (Fig. 5) merely consists of a circular plate of the same plastic material having a centrally located aperture I94 serving as a bearing for receiving the trunnion portion 50 of the trunnion block 41 at this end of the barrel. Journal plate 5I may be secured to the end plate IBI by plastic screw bolts I05.

At the left end of the barrel 43 (Fig. 5) the journal plate I06 preferably consists of a circular gear member made of the same plastic material and provided with a similar aperture I94 serving as a journal for the trunnion 50.

Gear I09 is of considerable size to serve in reducing the speed of rotation of the barrel I13 and is provided with peripheral teeth I01 for engaging the teeth on a driving gear I08 which is carried by a shaft I09.

The motor unit which drives the barrel may be mounted upon a base plate IIO of the same plastic material which is secured to the transverse frame members I3 and I 4 by means of suitable screw bolts II I. The motor is fastened to this base plate I I0 by suitable screw bolts H2 and the motor is preferably provided with a unitary speed reducing gearin unit II3. This speed reducing gearing may comprise a suitable housing provided with bearings for the motor shaft IM, the drive shaft I09, and another vertical shaft I15.

The drive is from the motor shaft II 4 which carries a worm IIB for engaging a worm gear III carried by shaft II5. Shaft H5 carries a second worm I I8 which engages a Worm gear II9 that is carried by shaft I 09. Shaft I 09 carries a spur gear I08 which drives the large gear I96.

The motor I20 is preferably of the induction type which is adapted to run without causing static ;for radio ireceptionpandsitsushaft I l 4 may carry a plastic .fan-:blade .1 2| at the end opposite to :thegear housing-I I3. The motor:ispreferabli covered with a U-shaped housing member H22 of the sameplasticimaterialwhich fits down against thebase plate Illl'and. which isgrooved at I23 end plate to cool 'themotor; and maintain it at suitable operating temperature.

The supportingstraps 65' are preferably also provided with handle members ['26 which extend oppositely to the-hook members 61 and which arewelded to the hook members so that the operator may grasp the handles E26 torlift thebarrel unit out of the tank off the bus. bar 68 to place it onthe supporting frame I l.

The .operatiorrof my electroplating apparatus is stantially as follows: Thebarrel 43 may have its clamping members 88'removed, to-remove the cover l2, and a suitable supply of small metal articles to be-plated maybe placed in the barrel. Then the cover may bereapplied and secured by means of the clamps and duringthis time the bar,- rel unit is supported onthe frame II. It may then be removed by means of the handles I and placed with its hook connectors 6'! on the bus bar 68 with the barrel in the tank 59. The barrel is preferably immersed in theelectroplating solutionto about one-third'the depth of the barrel and then'the motor I20 may be energized by plugging in its connector or byturning on a suitable switch.

The'barrel will then be rotated at a-slow speed and due to the polygonal natureof the barrel, the articles to be electroplated will be tumbled over and over into the solution while they are in electrical connection with the electrodes 53. During this time the electroplating solution is effectively scooped into the barrel by the apertures 19 which face in the direction of the rotation of the barrel and this so increases the circulation of the plating fluid through the barrel that the-time for electroplatingmay be diminished from tento fifteen per cent.

The present plating apparatus is constructed substantially completely of chemically inert'plastic material which is unaffected by acids or other solutions with which it may come in contact. This material is hard enough to resist the wear of the articles within the barrel and thus the apparatus may beusedfor a long period'of time without substantial deterioration.

The parts are preferably secured together by means of screws of the same plastic material so there is a notable absence of. any corrodible metal in the electroplating tank.

The articles being electroplated maybe observed While the plating is going on and the operator may also be assured that every barrel has a suitable charge and that it is suitably immersed in liquid It will thus be observed that I have invented an; improved electroplating apparatus which is simple, sturdy and. economically manufactured. My apparatus is more eflicient than thedevices of. the prior art and has a;minimum number of separate parts. It increasesthe visibility of the. conditions under whichv electroplating is carried on and isadapted toincrease the circulation of the plating fluid around. the articles to be electroplated.

. While .I have illustrated..a..pr.eferred..embodi- .inent Qof' my invention. many modifications may be made without vdepartingr from the spirit of-the invention, and I do notwish. to be limit'ed -to the precise details of construction: set, forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and'desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a self-contained portable electroplating barrel unit, the combination of a supporting frame comprising longitudinal and. transverse metal frame members secured'togetherto pro- Vide a rectangularzframe:with-the longitudinal frame members projecting longitudinally therefrom, a driving motor carried above and by'said frame, a transverse drive shaft'carried by said frame and connected-byspeed-reducing gearing to the shaft of'saidmoton'said drive shaft carrying a driving'gear constructed of chemically'inert initially plastic material, a pair of: depending bearing brackets carried by said frame andQextending parallel to-eachother, an electroplating barrel consisting, of a pair of thick end plates, said end plates beingtgrooved' on their'inner'ope posing sides and the said groove being of substantially the shape of a polygon, a single-sheet side wall for said barre'l'which is bent under the influence of heat at a plurality-0f obtuse angles, said angles being equally-spaced from? each other to form a regular polygon with the side edges of said body plate shaped to fit in said grooves, means for rotatably supporting said end' plates on said depending bearing plates, said'end plates, bearing plates and latter means being formed with an axial aperture at each end of the barrel,

an insulated conductor secured to said depending plates andextendingthrough said aperture at each end of the barrel and provided at its end with a metallichead which is socketed to receive the insulationof said conductor andccunterbored to receive the conductor, a gear carried by'one of said end plates and meshing the first-men'- tioned gear, said latter gears, depending plates and barrel all being made of said initially plastic chemically inert material and the ends of said barrel being integrallywelded to the side edges of said body plate,-a pair of hook shaped members of electrical conducting material carried by said dependingplates and electrically connected to said insulated conductors for simultaneously supporting the unit on a-bus-bar, and connecting the conductors and metallic members inside the barrel to one terminal ofasource of direct current.

2. In a self-contained portable electroplating barrel unit, the combination of a supporting frame comprising longitudinal and transverse metal frame members secured togetherto provide a rectangular frame with the longitudinal frame members projecting longitudinally there-: from, a driving motor carried above and by said frame, a transverse'drive shaft. carried by said frame and connected by speed-reducing gearing to the shaft ofsaid motor, said drive shaftv carry-- ing a. driving gear constructed of chemically in-.- ert initially plastic material, a pair of depending bearingbrackets carried by said frame and extending parallelto each other, an electroplating. barrel consisting ofa pair of thick end-plates, said end plates being grooved on their inner .opposing sides and the said groove being of substantially the shape of a polygon, a single-sheet side Wall for said barrel. which isbent under the influence of heat ataplurality ofobtuse. angles; said. angles. being 'equally spaced .fromxeach other" to form a regular polygon with the side edges of said body plate shaped to fit in said grooves, means for rotatably supporting said end plates on said depending bearing plates, said end plates, bearing plates and latter means being formed with an axial aperture at each end of the barrel, an insulated conductor secured to said depending plates and extending through said aperture at each end of the barrel and provided at its end with a metallic head which is socketed to receive the insulation of said conductor and counterbored to receive the conductor, a gear carried by one of said end plates and meshing the first-mentioned gear, said latter gears, depending plates and barrel all being made of said initially plastic chemically inert material and the ends of said barrel being integrally Welded to the side edges of said body plate, a pair of hook shaped members of electrical conducting material carried by said depending plates and electrically connected to said insulated conductors for simultaneously supporting the unit on a bus-bar, and connecting the conductors and metallic members inside the barrel to one terminal of a source of direct current, and an electroplating tank of electrical insulating material containing an electroplating solution, said tank having a transversely extending bus-bar extending across its upper and open end for receiving the hook shaped supporting members of said unit.

ANTON LAZARO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,207,283 Enghauser Dec. 5, 1916 1,251,568 Potthoff Jan. 1, 1918 1,276,649 Hartzell Aug. 20, 1918 1,823,465 ONeill Sept. 15, 1931 1,848,391 Simpson Mar. 8, 1932 1,999,796 Zinser Apr. 30, 1935 2,006,519 Standley 1- July 2, 1935 2,035,633 Bogle Mar. 31, 1936 2,120,478 Amundsen June 14, 1938 2,189,955 Hokerk Feb. 13, 1940 2,243,728 Davis May 27, 1941 2,249,609 Jackson July 15, 1941 2,293,978 Jonsson Aug. 25, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 110,248 Great Britain Oct. 18, 1917 114,557 Australia Jan. 16, 1942 

